Unable to assign 4 CPU cores to a VM on VMware ESXi version 6.5.0 build 4887370, as the configuration is limited to a maximum of 2 CPU cores per socket

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• On VMware ESXi 6.5.0 build 4887370, the maximum supported configuration is 2 CPU cores per socket.
• Assigning 4 CPU cores can only be achieved by configuring 2 sockets with 2 cores each

Environment

• VMware vSphere ESXi 6.5.x

Cause

The host is treating the minimum socket configuration as the maximum allowed, which is why you are unable to increase the socket count.

• <vmw:CoresPerSocket ovf:required="false">2</vmw:CoresPerSocket>

Resolution

• This issue is resolved in VMware ESXi 6.5.0 Update 1, build 5969303.

As a temporary workaround on earlier builds, the OVA file can be modified to permit a higher number of cores.

Below is an example of the change:

Original Entry -

• <vmw:CoresPerSocket ovf:required="false">2</vmw:CoresPerSocket>

Modified Entry - 

• <vmw:CoresPerSocket ovf:required="false">16</vmw:CoresPerSocket>

Additional Information

Impact/Risks -

• Virtual machines deployed using the OVA cannot be configured with more than the predefined number of CPUs per socket.